Bayern returns to work tab

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bayern, who has not started since winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November, resumed serious training with a three-furlong workout in 36.60 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday.

The workout was the first recorded exercise for Bayern since Jan. 3. He missed serious training for much of January with an abscess in a foot, trainer Bob Baffert said.

Owned by Kaleem Shah, the injury kept Bayern from an expected start in the $590,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7. The race was won by Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013, who beat California Chrome, the 2014 champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year. Bayern was a finalist for champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year.

The minor injury occurred at a bad time for Bayern. Not only did he miss the San Antonio Stakes, but races such as the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7 and the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates are highly doubtful.

On Monday, Baffert said he had no race plans for Bayern.

“He looks good,” Baffert said. “I want to keep an eye on the status of that foot and make sure it’s okay. He’s been training. We’ve got to let it play out.”

By Offlee Wild, Bayern has won 6 of 10 starts and earned $4,389,680. The BC Classic is the most prestigious of his four career stakes wins.